Adjustable wheelchair handrim with movable friction band

Abstract

An adjustable manual wheelchair handrim with a moveable elastomeric friction band. The position of the tubular handrim can be moved to a desired location relative to the wheel rim depending on the needs and limits of the user. The movable friction band is stretched around the drive surface of the handrim at a desired location preventing it from moving and providing increased frictional properties when gripped by the user during pushes. The friction band can be permanently affixed at a location to further prevent movement and slippage between the handrim and the friction band.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A handrim for the wheel of a manual wheelchair, comprising:
 a tubular handrim; and   a movable elastomeric friction band.   
     
     
         2 . The handrim of  claim 1 , wherein the handrim comprises an ergonomic tubular shape that profiles the hand when gripped. 
     
     
         3 . The handrim of  claim 1 , wherein the handrim further comprises a drive surface that extends from the top of the handrim and wholly or partially spans the gap between the handrim and the wheel rim of a wheelchair wheel when mounted. 
     
     
         4 . The handrim of  claim 3 , wherein the drive surface extends around the periphery of the entire handrim. 
     
     
         5 . The handrim of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of rigid attachment tabs that extrude from a terminating end of the drive surface. 
     
     
         6 . The handrim of  claim 5 , said rigid attachment tabs comprising elliptical or circular slots, adapted to receive fasteners to mount the handrim to a wheelchair wheel rim. 
     
     
         7 . The handrim of  claim 1 , wherein the friction band is stretched over the handrim and only held in place by the elasticity of the band. 
     
     
         8 . The handrim of  claim 1 , wherein the friction band is permanently affixed to the handrim. 
     
     
         9 . The handrim of  claim 3 , where the offset distance of the handrim from the wheel rim is adjustable. 
     
     
         10 . A handrim for the wheel of a manual wheelchair, comprising:
 a handrim, wherein the handrim has an ergonomic tubular shape that profiles the hand when gripped.   
     
     
         11 . The handrim of  claim 10 , further comprising a drive surface that extends from the top of the tubular handrim and wholly or partially spans the gap between the handrim and the wheel rim of a wheelchair wheel when mounted. 
     
     
         12 . The handrim of  claim 11 , wherein the drive surface extends around the periphery of the entire handrim. 
     
     
         13 . The handrim of  claim 10 , further comprising a plurality of attachment tabs that extrude from one end of the drive surface. 
     
     
         14 . The handrim of  claim 13 , wherein the attachment tabs have slots adapted to receive fasteners to mount the handrim to a wheelchair wheel rim. 
     
     
         15 . The handrim of  claim 14 , wherein the offset distance of the handrim from the wheel rim is adjustable by moving the position of the attachment tabs laterally relative to the wheel rim. 
     
     
         16 . The handrim of  claim 10 , further comprising an elastomeric friction band. 
     
     
         17 . An adjustable handrim for the wheel of a manual wheelchair, comprising:
 a tubular handrim;   a drive surface that extends from the top of the tubular handrim and wholly or partially spans the gap between the handrim and the wheel rim of a wheelchair wheel when mounted; and   a plurality of attachment tabs that extrude from one end of the drive surface, wherein the attachment tabs have slots adapted to receive fasteners to mount the handrim to the wheel rim, wherein the offset distance of the handrim from the wheel rim is adjustable by moving the position of the attachment tabs laterally relative to the wheel rim.   
     
     
         18 . The handrim of  claim 17 , wherein the handrim comprises an ergonomic tubular shape that profiles the hand when gripped. 
     
     
         19 . The handrim of  claim 17 , further comprising an elastomeric friction band stretched over the handrim and drive surface.